St. Patrick's Day Parade keeps on growing

For the 36th year, the streets of downtown Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, Pa., will be lined Sunday with people sporting the green and celebrating St. Patrick's Day when the parade marches through town.

Comment

By MELANIE VANDERVEER

recordonline.com

By MELANIE VANDERVEER

Posted Mar. 22, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By MELANIE VANDERVEER
Posted Mar. 22, 2013 at 2:00 AM

IF YOU GO

The 38th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Stroudsburg High School, 119 Stadium St., Stroudsburg, Pa. It will march along Main Street and Route 209 over Veterans Bri...

» Read more

X

IF YOU GO

The 38th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Stroudsburg High School, 119 Stadium St., Stroudsburg, Pa. It will march along Main Street and Route 209 over Veterans Bridge and end at East Stroudsburg Municipal Building on Crystal Street. For more information, go to poconoirishparade.org.

» Social News

For the 36th year, the streets of downtown Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, Pa., will be lined Sunday with people sporting the green and celebrating St. Patrick's Day when the parade marches through town.

The parade, created and organized by the Pocono Irish-American Club, is held annually on the first Sunday after St. Patrick's Day and draws thousands every year.

"We have a lot of music and floats. I think there are more new people this year," said Pat Murray, president of the Irish-American club. "We have at least 25 floats this year. Last year, we had 94 units, including bands."

The parade has grown since the early years. And many organizations — whether Irish or not — join the community fun.

The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Stroudsburg is happy to be involved in the parade for the first time.

"We try to get the church members involved in things. We celebrate St. Patrick's Day in our church, and Greek Independence Day is March 25, the day after the parade," said Nick Kandris, chairman of the Greek Heritage Committee. "The kids in the parade will carry an Irish flag and a Greek flag. We'll have a truck and a trailer. The younger kids will do some Greek dancing. We want to show the Greek heritage and celebrate St. Patrick's Day."

"We have submarine vets bringing a 17-foot replica of the USS Barb mounted on a trailer. There will be lots of vets this year," Murray said. "East Stroudsburg (High School) North and South marching bands will combine and walk (perform) together, and Stroudsburg High School. We'll have a jazz band with an Irish repertoire called Penn Dixie from Scranton."

This year's parade grand marshal is Bill Cramer, Monroe County native and president of the Cramer, Swetz and McManus law firm in Stroudsburg. Cramer is known for his community service work in the area.

"I'm very flattered by this. For a lawyer to be speechless is pretty amazing," he said. "They talk about the award, and basically it's based on community service and leadership. It's quite an honor, and I'm really appreciative."

Cramer has been involved in community service work for more than 30 years. He's served on committees and worked on campaigns for the United Way, Salvation Army, Dale and Francis Hughes Cancer Center capital campaign, East Stroudsburg University Foundation and many others.

"You're so blessed to be a part of a caring community you need to participate in the life of the community. It's really the right thing to do. I've been very blessed over the years. I give my time, talent or treasures. You always want to leave a place better than you found it."

The parade is a celebration of Irish history and has grown into a community event.

"It's really a celebration of St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland. He was an awesome character, which is why he made it to sainthood," Murray said. "The Irish are great storytellers with a wonderful gift."

Kids love parades for the excitement, firetrucks and let's not forget candy thrown by the marchers that leave the young spectators scrambling.

"A parade always attracts spectators, especially if they have children. It's free. You don't have to buy a ticket for it," Murray said. ... There is a lot of camaraderie and enthusiasm."